Borago officinalis
Easy and low-maintenance, borage will happily grow in flower beds and pots (preferably deep). It self-seeds vigorously and is a natural slug repellent.
Bees and other beneficial insects love its blossoms.
The blue flowers look beautiful in salads or on summery dips. Even the fresh leaves can be used in the kitchen, borage is a fantastic ingredient in cucumber salads.
A quick note though: the plant may contain higher levels of pyrrolizidine alkaloids, and if consumed in large quantities, these substances can potentially have liver-damaging effects. In Germany, the Federal Office for Risk Assessment recommends eating only a small amount of borage.
Height: 80cm (31")
Hardiness: Annual plants
Where: Full sun to partial shade
When: March to April inside, May to July outside. Dark germinator.
Spacing: 30cm (12"). Not too close together to avoid the risk of mildew.
Harvesting/Flowering: May to October
A paradise for insects
Photos 1 & 3: Janina Laszlo
